Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Web Developer

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a web developer, you came to the right place! Pursuing a new career is a big decision, so it’s important to do your research.

After all, you’d invest countless hours of investigation to find a new car with the best gas mileage or to learn which car seat is safest for your child. Mapping out your path to a new career should be no different.

Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of becoming a web developer or maybe someone recently told you that your obsessive attention to detail and technical prowess would make you a perfect candidate for web development. Either way, you’ve got some questions and we’ve got some answers!

We gathered a combination of expert insight, government information and real-time job analysis data to provide you with the answers to all of your burning questions. Below you’ll find seven common questions about becoming a web developer.

Scroll through to digest all of the information or simply click on the question you’re most curious about to jump straight to the answer you’re seeking.

What does a web developer do?

Let’s start with the basics. You’re probably well aware that web developers build websites, but there’s much more to it than that. Web developers must also analyze user needs to enable the proper content, graphics and capacity to meet the goals of the website.

What are some common misconceptions about web development?

Now that you have an idea of what a web developer does, it’s important to know what a web developer does not do. We want to clear up any misconceptions about this career before you decide if it’s right for you.

FACT: Employment for web developers is expected to grow 20% through 2020

1. Web development is NOT web design

One of the biggest misunderstandings is that web development is synonymous with web design, which is untrue according to Oleg Korneitchouk, director of web development at New Jersey-based SmartSites. He says that development is taking the designer's work and turning it into a functional website.

Designers are the creative individuals who are focused on the overall look and feel of a website; while developers are the analytical individuals who concentrate on the general performance aspects of the site.

2. You are never “finished” with a website

A website is like a plant that needs constant nurturing. Just when you think it’s perfect, you’ll find a glitch that needs to be fixed or an element that the client wants added. Technology is constantly evolving so there will always be improvements to be made.

3. Web developers do more than just write code

The truth is that web developers don’t just sit and stare at a computer screen all day. While writing code is a big part of the job, interacting with designers, illustrators, copywriters and other personnel involved in the planning process is an essential piece of the puzzle.

Web developers also analyze website performance and strategize updates and improvements. On top of that, it’s crucial for them to spend a great deal of time researching new techniques and technologies.

What are some characteristics of a good web developer?

There are a few inherent qualities shared by many successful web developers. After speaking with professionals in the industry we identified a few soft skills that play a pivotal role in the day-to-day operations of the job.

1. Good communication

As a parent you have no choice but to be a master communicator. You communicate on behalf of your child on a daily basis—whether it’s with teachers, doctors, coaches or other family members. Each of these individuals plays a unique role in your child’s life, so you adjust your communication style accordingly.

Web developers must work with multiple members of an organization to ensure everyone’s goals are being met through the website. It’s important to maintain open lines of communication and be able to translate technical jargon into layman’s terms for other team members.

2. Love of learning

You are a student of life who is constantly curious. When the kids are in bed you lose yourself on Pinterest perusing through the latest innovations. You’re intrigued by the new techniques and technologies and can’t wait to get your hands on them.

"Everyone wants a website. As a web developer, you'll never be short on work."

Web developers are never done learning, according to Steven Collins, co-founder of New York City-based Webb Communications. New scripts, widgets and designs are released daily so web developers must stay up to date to remain relevant in the industry. Developers are never satisfied, Collins says, so they are constantly adjusting, honing and perfecting their craft.

3. Patience

If there’s anything parenthood has taught you it’s to be patient. Your schedule now revolves around a tiny human whose developing sense of time is a bit fluid at this stage. Just when you think you’re ready to head out the door, your little one needs a wardrobe change after spilling juice down her shirt. You’ve mastered the art of keeping your composure and persevering.

As stated earlier, a website is never complete. Often, client work will go back and forth and the smallest details will require tedious nurturing, according to Sid Savara, senior web developer at Honolulu-based Red Aloha. When minute changes or updates are requested, it’s imperative to remain patient.

4. Perfectionism

You’ve often been called a perfectionist. Your closet is color-coded by season and you immediately notice if something is out of place. Every toy in the playroom has a precise home and you've trained your children to follow suit. Your extreme attention to detail makes you the perfect proofreader for your kids’ homework. Even the smallest mistake can’t get by you.

Knowing that you have the natural characteristics of a web developer is a great start, but you won’t find success with those qualities alone. In order to excel in such a technical profession, it’s imperative that you master the hard skills to compliment the soft ones.

We used real-time job analysis software from BurningGlass.com to identify the top five web technical skills employers are seeking in web developers.** This will give you an idea of which skills you should focus on sharpening to become a desirable candidate in this field.

Top 5 technical skills for web developers:

JavaScript

jQuery

Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP)

HTML5

Java

Not familiar with some of these programming languages? Don’t worry! This is precisely the type of training and expertise you can expect to gain from earning a degree in web programming.

You’ll be happy to hear that there’s an optimistic job outlook for web developers. That’s right, total employment in this field is projected to grow 20 percent by 2020, faster than the average for all occupations according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

FACT: Web developers make an average of $62,500/year.

“Everyone wants a website,” says Brandon Swift, co-founder of Santa-Barbara-based Yovigo.com. “As a web developer, you’ll never be short on work. I mean never!”

Websites have become a critical component for businesses to stay competitive. A company cannot simply utilize a generic online template if it wants to provide a custom, genuine experience for its consumers. This is why Swift says there will always be high demand for web developers who can design custom coded websites.

Now that you’re aware of the skills needed to succeed as a web developer, let’s talk about the education that will help you land a job. The educational requirements vary depending on the work setting, according to the BLS. The most common requirement is an associate degree in web programming.

It’s true that you can teach yourself to code online but remember that there’s much more to web development than purely coding. A formal education will help you master your programming skills and prepare you to successfully work with clients and find creative solutions to business challenges.

Last—but obviously not least—you want to know the earning potential for professionals in this field. If you’re going to invest your time and money into pursuing a new career you want to know it’s going to be worth it in the long run.

You’ll be happy to hear that the median annual salary for web developers is $62,500, as reported by the BLS. This is significantly higher than the average American’s yearly income, which in 2012 was $44,321.

What’s more is that once you gain the necessary experience to be considered a senior web developer, you have the potential to earn six figures! This is the kind of income that could help you support your family in ways you never thought possible.

Salary data represents national, averaged earnings and includes workers of all levels of experience and education. This data does not represent starting salaries and employment conditions in your area may vary.

The next steps …

You’ve just been exposed to a bevy of information about becoming a web developer. At the end of the day, you’re the only one who can determine whether you’ll fly high or flounder in this field. All we can do is provide you with every piece of information you need to determine if web development is right for you.

If you still want to become a web developer, the next step is to explore the degree options that can help prime you for success in the field. Be sure to bookmark this article as a resource for you to revisit during other stages of your journey.

External links provided on Rasmussen.edu are for reference only. Rasmussen College does not guarantee, approve, control, or specifically endorse the information or products available on websites linked to, and is not endorsed by website owners, authors and/or organizations referenced.

Callie is a Content Marketing Specialist who writes helpful and encouraging career-focused content on behalf of Rasmussen College. Her eagerness for helping others combined with her creative writing passion makes her a great asset to past, present and prospective learners.

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